Monday, February 9, 2009

My husband and I are thinking of retiring in the Philippines. How about you? The cost of living in the Philippines is not as bad as what they have here in the US. Now I am not saying is that US is not a good place to retire, but economically speaking Philippines is the best place to consider. If you are willing to leave behind the USA, UK, Australia or other high cost expensive country and live in a foreign country, you can live or retire on $200 per month.

Continuation:

Get a passport. You need one to travel outside your country in most cases.

Get a visa. You may need a visa to get into the target country.

Pack up your things. Remember, you can pay the airline for extra boxes if needed. Or you can have them shipped. If shipping, FedEx is always best. Don't rely on the new country's postal system.

If possible visit your target city as a tourist first for a week (or two) to get the feel of the place and see if you really would like to live there. Does it feel safe to walk the streets at night? How do the locals treat foreigners? Remember that as a tourist you will probably get a romantic impression of the country. Living there may be a totally different ballgame. Make sure you meet some expats who have been living there for a few years and ask them about their experiences.

When you get to your target city, check into a 2 or 3 star hotel. You should be able to find one for $25 a night in China, for example.

Meet your friends you made on the internet. Meet them in a public place at first. They will ask if they can help you. Say yes. Try to improve your relationship by eating some food or by visiting some of the local tourist spots together. Be very careful with the local food and drinking water at first. Check whether it is safe to drink the tap water.

Continue to make friends with people you are meeting. After some time, you will meet people with connections, and they can help you find a nice apartment or a job, if you need one.

Slowly rebuild your life in the new country - enjoying freedom from the current rat race of American society.

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Hey y'all! Welcome to my page. My name is Demcy also known as Dhemz. I'm the author behind Dias Family Adventures, FILIPINO-AMERICAN, military wife & mother, crafter, wannabe chef, savvy shopper, product reviewer, traveler, adventure seeker...I pretty much think I can do anything! Learn more about me and my family HERE